How Do I Pick the Right Database?

Fairfield University subscribes to hundreds of databases just for you! These databases contain articles from academic journals, newspapers, or magazines on all topics.

Why so many databases?

Some databases are general and offer overviews of all subjects, such as Academic Search Premier. Other databases are subject specific, like PsycINFO for Psychology. Some databases include the full text for articles, some only provide citations, and others have a mix of full-text and citations.

How do I pick the right database?

To find databases related the subject you are studying, select your subject from the list of our Research Guides. Each guide contains selected databases as a starting point for your research.

If you need to do additional, more comprehensive research, use the Databases by Subject page. Again, select the subject you are researching to see a comprehensive list of related databases.

If you are using All Search a list of "Database Recommendations" may appear at the top of your search results to help direct you to relevant subject specific databases.

How do I search in a database?

Consult these resources to learn about conducting searches in databases:

If you are replicating any of our guides as a template on your own site for use by your library's LibGuide authors, we would appreciate a brief attribution, e.g "Portions of this guide were built using suggestions from DiMenna-Nyselius Library, Fairfield University.”